Yelena Cohen
June 2025
Yelena
Cohen
,
BSN, RN, MEDSURG-BC, GERO-BC
Hoag 6
NYU Langone Hospital--Long Island
Mineola
,
NY
United States
Lena didn't see her as a patient, but as a mother who needed to be with her daughter who was in crisis.
I am proudly nominating Yelena (Lena) Cohen for a DAISY award. Through her compassion and empathy, Lena supported our patient during the worst day of her life. One of our patients had a baby who was also a patient in the pediatric ICU. Our patient had coordinated visits to see her daughter every day.
On the morning of 4/9/25, our patient received a heartbreaking phone call that her baby's heart had stopped and that CPR had been initiated. The patient ran into the hallway to tell the staff, at which point Lena dropped everything that she was doing and told the patient that she would accompany her to see her baby. Lena and our patient ran to the PICU to witness the life-sustaining measures being taken in an attempt to save her baby.
Our patient was brought into the room during the code, and Lena patiently waited outside. Unfortunately, despite the long attempt, the team was not successful in reviving the baby. Lena stayed with the patient as she held her deceased daughter. Upon returning to Hoag 6, Lena said, "I wish I didn't have to see that, but I'm so glad that she (the patient) was able to."
The art of nursing is caring for the patient in mind, body, and spirit. Lena didn't see her as a patient, but as a mother who needed to be with her daughter who was in crisis. Lena knew that the patient needed to see everything that was being done to try to save her baby's life.
When speaking with the patient, despite the heartbreak that she was going through, she stated how appreciative she was to be able to witness the heroic efforts of the PICU staff and for Lena's presence throughout. Lena's compassion and patient-centered thinking exemplify what nursing is all about and truly embody the spirit of the DAISY award.
On the morning of 4/9/25, our patient received a heartbreaking phone call that her baby's heart had stopped and that CPR had been initiated. The patient ran into the hallway to tell the staff, at which point Lena dropped everything that she was doing and told the patient that she would accompany her to see her baby. Lena and our patient ran to the PICU to witness the life-sustaining measures being taken in an attempt to save her baby.
Our patient was brought into the room during the code, and Lena patiently waited outside. Unfortunately, despite the long attempt, the team was not successful in reviving the baby. Lena stayed with the patient as she held her deceased daughter. Upon returning to Hoag 6, Lena said, "I wish I didn't have to see that, but I'm so glad that she (the patient) was able to."
The art of nursing is caring for the patient in mind, body, and spirit. Lena didn't see her as a patient, but as a mother who needed to be with her daughter who was in crisis. Lena knew that the patient needed to see everything that was being done to try to save her baby's life.
When speaking with the patient, despite the heartbreak that she was going through, she stated how appreciative she was to be able to witness the heroic efforts of the PICU staff and for Lena's presence throughout. Lena's compassion and patient-centered thinking exemplify what nursing is all about and truly embody the spirit of the DAISY award.